2<3 



CENTENNIAL 



OF THE 



First Baptist Church 



SEDGWICK, MAINE 



June 11-18, 1905 



TWO HISTORICAL PAPERS 



I. Historical Sketch of the Town of Sedgwick 

By Rev. Arthur Warren Smith 



i II. Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M.— An Appreciation 

By Samuel P. Merrill, D. D. 




Class Fq. ^ 

Book S^Sy- 



CENTENNIAL 



OF THE 



First Baptist Church 



SEDGWICK, MAINE 



June 11-18, 1905 



TWO HISTORICAL PAPERS 



I. Historical Sketch of the Town of Sedgwick 

By Rev. Arthur Warren Smith 



II. Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. — An Appreciation 

By Samuel P. Merrill, D. D. 



C>' 



^ 






f? ! 



Contents. 

HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

Early Settlement , . 5 

Proprietors ........ 10 

Town Incorporated I5 

Religious Beginnings 16 

First Meeting House 22 

Meeting House, Present Town House ... 25 

First Town Minister Settled 26 

Town Church Organized 29 

Military Matters 33 

Civil and Industrial 34 

Education , 36 

REV. DANIEL MERRILL, A. M. 

Genealogy 39 

Revolutionary Soldier 40 

Education and Marriage 41 

Personality 42 

New Life 43 

Extracts from Sermons ...... 44 

Publications and Replies 47 

Organizing Ability 51 

Education 53 

Political Life 56 

Personal 58 

Children 59 

Summary . . , 63 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 
OF THE TOWN OF SEDGWICK' 

BY REV. ARTHUR WARREN SMITH 



In July, 1614, Captain John Smith of explorer's fame 
sailed into England with his vessel, freighted with fish and 
other important products of the New England coast. Most 
of this cargo came from the Maine region near the mouth 
of the Kennebec. The pecuniary success of these enter- 
prises to the coast of New England revived a general in- 
terest in the country. 

The next year Gorges, a man whose explorations to 
America were to the Maine coast, equipped two ships for 
these shores. He took with him sixteen colonists with 
directions to establish a settlement on some favorable point 
which he might select. Other colonial companies were 
sent out. By 1620 ships were visiting the Maine waters 
from Monhegan to Machias. It is probable that during the 
year 1623, when the Pilgrims at Plymouth were subduing 
the "forest primeval," individuals commenced a permanent 
residence upon Arrowsic Island, near the mouth of the 
Sagadahoc; and upon the mainland, at the entrance of the 
river at Sheepscot, at Damariscotta, at Pemaquid and at 
St. George's River. Seven years after this, it was reported 
that eighty-four families, besides fishermen, were residing 
along the coast in this region. 

Within a short time the settlements increased, the Ken- 
nebec River at its mouth being the chief point of attraction. 
As the English visited this region, they either sent or car- 

*Delivered on Friday, June 16, 1905. 



6 Historical Sketch. 

ried away glowing accounts of what they saw. It was in 
their view an earthly paradise. The climate midway be- 
tween tropic heat and arctic ice was perfect. The soil was 
fertile; rewarding the slight labor of the husbandman with 
abundant harvest. The forests were magnificent, furnish- 
ing the best ship-timber in the world and were filled with 
game. The bays and rivers swarmed with fish of every 
variety, including an abundance of the most delicious of all 
fishes, the trout and salmon. The atmosphere was invigo- 
rating and healthy in the highest degree and the skies out- 
rivalled in splendor the far-famed skies of Italy. It is not 
strange that such representations, spread broadcast over 
the land, should greatly have revived the zeal for emigra- 
tion. 

With such stimulus settlements of one kind and another 
grew apace. The Plymouth pilgrims established a trading 
post as near us here as Castine for the purpose of trading 
with the Penobscot Indians. While other posts were in- 
disputably English, that at the mouth of the Bagaduce was 
debatable territory. The French had long been possessors 
of the territory to the Eastward and in their Westward 
sway the Bagaduce came within their claim. Once, while 
the Plymouth post was peopled with English, a small 
French vessel entered the bay and finding the post defence- 
less, plundered it of all its furs, which were estimated to be 
worth two thousand dollars. 

Thus this region is very historic ground, full as much so 
as any part along this coast. The English settlers were 
pushing their way in this direction for fishing and trading 
projects. You may understand that the English were all 
about here dealing with the Indians for their furs and fish- 
ing for the rich stores of these waters. Then from the 
other direction the French were already establishing a line 
of forts from Cape Canso to Cape Rosier. One of those 
forts in all probability was located within the limits of orig- 



Historical Sketch. 7 

inal Sedgwick. The present writer has walked over 
ground which close examination revealed to be an old fort 
of scientific lay out. The mounds and ridges, the well, the 
tunnel, the outlook up Eggemoggin Reach and the strategic 
proximity to the old harbor at the end of "Naskeege" 
Point — all indicate something antedating the first real set- 
tlement of this town. Further to substantiate this con- 
clusion, it is reported that several years ago Prof. Gushing 
found graves which he pronounced to contain French 
bodies; the old residents near this fort site will show the 
place, but can give no account of what it was. The fact, 
perhaps, is that the French outposts had abandoned the be- 
ginnings of a fort on Naskeeg long before the first families 
who settled this region came this way. Whatever may be 
the truth concerning it, this may be fairly believed. We 
know that a Frenchman, Monsieur Denys, was regularly 
appointed Governor from Gape Ganso to Gape Rosier, in 
1632. In 1605 an account was published in England of a 
voyage to the Penobscot Bay by a man named James 
Rosier, who accompanied Weymouth, an explorer here- 
abouts. Gape Rosier was named for this gentleman. At 
the time when Mon. Denys governed to Gape Rosier, the 
English had a successful post at Gastine and were fast 
moving for possession of the Penobscot region. As the 
English were pushing along the Reach to hold the French 
in abeyance, the French must have been trying to make 
their claim good in this very territory where we now live. 
Having a fort on Mount Desert, how natural that they 
should have made a stand at the foot of this peninsula by 
a redoubt and post looking into the mouth of ancient Al- 
gomongen Reach (for that was its ancient name). From 
a safe harbor there a short sail would bring their boats sud- 
denly into the Bagaduce. Thus it may have been that the 
trading post was surprised at Gastine and for a few years 
was in the hands of the French. 



8 Historical Sketch. 

In 1654, however, Oliver Cromwell sent Major Sedg- 
wick to take the fort at Castine from the French. He took 
it and subjugated the country Eastward. That means this 
very district where these historical incidents are being re- 
hearsed after two hundred and fifty years. He succeeded 
in his enterprise and the French seem to have given way 
for English supremacy here. It is said that this town re- 
ceived its name from this English officer who threw off the 
French sway from this region for a season. For in 1667 
this section was ceded to the French and only by subsequent 
history did it come into English hands and remain, as it 
does now, the possession of its original colonists, the Amer- 
icans. 

For the next several years this section was under the 
quiet rule of the French; but somewhere about 1690 Baron 
Castine being old and the English being aggressive, this 
country came again into the domination of the English. 
The attractiveness of these shores for fur-trading and fish- 
ing allured many hardy and venturesome men from the 
vicinity of Massachusetts Bay. In 1760 the Governor of 
Massachusetts had this in his annual address. "There are 
many families stand ready to go down to Penobscot and as 
every other obstacle is removed, you will take care that no 
uncertainty to the titles of the grants they may have, may 
be any objection to settlements which will be so greatly 
beneficial to the strength of the province." 

For years there had been many visits to the shores of this 
peninsula by fishermen and traders and by 1762 we find 
that steps were far advanced for making a permanent set- 
tlement hereabouts. "David Marsh and 359 others" had 
obtained a grant for six townships between Penobscot Bay 
and Union River, including Sedgwick as number four, 
Orland number two. Blue Hill number five and Surry 
number six. To make this grant effective Benjamin John- 
son and Joseph Holt surveyed these six townships and the 



Historical Sketch. 9 

plan of said survey, as executed September 4, 1762, is in 
the State House in Boston. This is in first class condition 
and reveals that the work was well and thoroughly done. 
It has some value in defining matters as they were at that 
early date. What we know as the Reach appears on this 
map as Algomongen Reach, Naskeeg is named Pleasant 
Point, other indentures reveal and corroborate interesting 
points. Upon the space outlining Sedgwick it says : 
This plan contains 2y2yy A. 

23040 A. of 6 mi. square. 
2560 A. water. 
920 sw^ag of chain. 
757 for mountains and rocks. 
Upon the basis of this survey evidently some of the 360 
proprietors soon appeared on this shore to efifect a settle- 
ment. So about 1763 three families landed at Naskeeg 
point. One man was Shadrack Watson, another was John 
Black and the third may have been William Reed. Soon 
after this beginning was made at Naskeeg another settle- 
ment was made farther up the Reach on what is called 
Byard's Point by Robert Byard. Soon after constant ar- 
rivals occurred so that in the course of two or three years 
a goodly number of families had settled in what is now 
those parts of Sedgwick and Brooklin near the shore. For 
a considerable time a majority of the people lived on what 
is called Naskeeg Point, then land was occupied in the vi- 
cinity of this present village, and soon in the western part 
of the town about Caterpillar Hill and Gra's Pond. 

In looking back to that first time when a few sturdy 
Englishmen of the old Bay State dared to dispute the 
ground with the Indians who frequented this region, it is 
interesting to try to learn who were some of the men and 
women that started homes and subdued the forests and soil 
of old Sedgwick. Just when and how they came in most 
cases I do not know. John Herrick, Ebenezer Herrick 



10 Historical Sketch. 

and Samuel Herrick, we learn by tradition, came from 
Beverly about 1765 and settled on the bay since called by 
their name. In fact, many of the early settlers hailed prin- 
cipally from Salem, Beverly and Gloucester. And in many 
cases they were more or less closely related by kinship. So 
that this town in its dvelopment as well as its beginning 
is much like a colony of the North Shore of Massachusetts. 
So many Herricks, for instance, came, and the people after 
intermarriage here so often became Herricks or related 
thereto, we may almost say this town's people have a right 
to trace their lineage back to Eric of old who came from 
the forests of Denmark and in England laid the founda- 
tion of the great house of English ancestry whose motto is 
^'Virtus omnia nobilitat" — the excellence of virtue makes 
all things of noble birth and quality. The Herrick gene- 
alogy presents the name of nearly every old family in this 
town and therefore, in the recognition of this old kinship 
it is fitting to think of this wonderful lineage of Sedgwick, 
of whatever name or ancestry, as claiming the ancient coat- 
of-arms. For on these shores it has been virtue, high, 
lofty virtue, sometimes meaning moral character and some- 
times patriotic prowess, w^hich has ennobled everything 
associated with Sedgwick. 

With such observations it is interesting to pronounce 
the names of the first proprietors and settlers of the old 
town of Sedgwick, viz. Herricks, — Joshua, John, Ebenezer, 
Samuel; Joshua Trussell, Samuel Hale; Abner, Jonah, 
Amaziah Dodge; Peter Harriman; Adam Coggswell; 
David and Dudley Carlton; Moses, Ebenezer, Theophilus, 
Ezekiel Eaton: Benjamin Friend, Enoch Blaisdell, Wil- 
liam Obear, Nehemiah Allen, William Heath, Samuel 
Cozens, James Fly; David and Robert Dougherty; Silas 
Bunker; Daniel, John, Moses Black; Joseph Freethy, 
Shadrach Watson; William and Abraham Reed; Job, Wil- 
liam and Richard Wells; Joseph and Abraham Babson; 



Historical Sketch. ii 

Lemuel Smith; Job, Daniel, Jonathan Bridges; James, 
John, Allen Carter; Samuel Cain, Nathaniel Allen, John 
Hooper, John Hutchinson; Benjamin, Abel Billings; Rob- 
ert Byeard; Reuben, Andrew, James, Samuel, John Gra; 
Joshua, Nicholas Snow; William, Daniel, Joshua Grindal; 
Simeon, Robert Parker; John Lymburner, John Doar and 
John Lee. 

Probably if I knew more about these early settlers, they 
would all appear very illustrious and significant. But I 
must content myself to mention only the few concerning 
whom I do know. The Herricks, John, Ebenezer and 
Samuel came from Beverly about 1765, settling about Her- 
rick's Bay. They chose a beautiful spot indeed. Around 
them cluster many associations and to them is due much 
of the early development of that section of the town. 

Joshua Trussell is noted for being one of the three men 
who surveyed and laid out this town in 1790. 

Samuel Hale settled at "Birchland" on Blue Hill Bay. He 
developed a large tract of what is now North Brooklin and 
there are many here today who have the Hale face, the 
Hale blood and the Hale ancestry. Hale and hearty may 
they ever be. 

Peter Harriman settled in Brooklin and by his resi- 
dence gave the name to what is known as Harriman's 
Point. 

David and Dudley Carlton call up pleasant memories. 
The Carltons are known here as a noble family, generous 
people, wealthy folk, promoters in many ways of the life 
of Sedgwick through all the years. David Carlton was 
one of the proprietors' committee who laid out this town in 
1790. It is likely that he acted as chief surveyor. There 
is reason to believe the work was well done, except those 
lines which were drawn after dinner when the .laborious 
linesmen visited the jug by the tree. He was always 
prominent in all town affairs; he owned vessels which sail- 



12 Historical Sketch. 

ed from here and in many ways was the author of much 
that has made Sedgwick what it became. 

Moses Eaton was clerk for the proprietors, was on all 
important proprietors' committees. In the civil affairs of 
the settlers and the town at the beginning he was perhaps 
the most conspicuous. When the General Court of Mas- 
sachusetts authorized the incorporation of Sedgwick, the 
county officer was empowered to serve the warrant for the 
first town meeting on some principal citizen of the town- 
ship. When he performed this duty, Moses Eaton called 
the town meeting at his own house. On two or three oc- 
casions the town meeting met in the old meeting-house at 
Benjamin's River and adjourned to the bam of Moses 
Eaton; for what reason it is difficult to imagine, unless 
thirst could be more easily slaked on his premises than 
across the river at the more sacred place. This Moses 
Eaton lived, so tradition has it, on the place east of the 
hotel on the river bank. He built the first mill dam above 
the bridge, traces of it being still observable. To him, I 
suppose, is due the existence of this village and the early 
development of an industry for Sedgwick. 

Benjamin Friend was a proprietor, a large owner of land 
in this vicinity and a prominent person in all affairs. It 
was common for him to be elected moderator of town meet- 
ing. Men seemed to defer to him and he was of patriotic 
mold. His land was a succession of lots on the west side 
of Benjamin's River, so called. Moses Eaton's lots ran 
along the river where this village is and Friend's lots, for 
the most part, were north of Eaton's, bounded on the east 
side by the river. Farther up where the river is lost in 
the "Great Meadow," now in part Thurston's pond, 
Friend's land extended. The probability is so great that 
it is fairly settled that the river, which now separates 
Brooklin from Sedgwick, the river which formerly was 
the great artery of the then Sedg-wick, Benjamin's River 



Historical Sketch. 13 

was so named after this Benjamin Friend. And the man 
was a most influential and important factor in this town's 
development, as the river was once the motive power of the 
mills which stretched across its dam a few yards from 
here. 

Shadrach Watson, one of the earliest settlers, deserves 
uncommon credit. He kept the first store in town down 
at Naskeag Point. He owned a sloop and must have done 
a thriving business, carrying away the produce of the 
first settlers and bringing back the necessities of the people 
here for which he charged high prices. His account book 
is still extant and reveals some interesting facts of the early 
conditions in this town. You may derive an idea of what 
the early settlers bought of this ancient storekeeper, from the 
following items charged to Samuel Cousins under date 
of 1765, viz. 

I barrel flouear, 9 galanes and a half of molasses, 3 
quarts of rum, one pint of rum, 2 moges of drink, one half 
a pint of rum, i galan of rum. 2 quarts of rum, 12 poundes 
of porak, 3 pounds of coffay, one pint of rum, cash, one 
muge of drink, one bet of rum. one bushel of meal, 50 
pounds of flouear, i jjound of beef, 53 pound of poork, 2 
quarts molasses, 2 quarts rum, 2 quarts of molasses, 2 
bushels of purtears. &c.. &c. 

Other person's accounts run about the same; the ever 
unavoidable jug, or mug, or gallon of rum being sand- 
wiched in many times to keep the supplies bought palpably 
moist. The items as they appear reveal that the early fam- 
ilies had the necessities of life at startlingly high prices. I 
do not dare suggest to you the prices which seem to have 
been paid for the common items. But if I have not mis- 
interpreted the money column, articles of cooking cost 
fabulous sums. All this shows that the people here were 
thrifty and so far subdued the soil and fished the seas and 
felled the forest and carded the wool that the earlv inhabi- 



14 Historical Sketch. 

tants were able to secure most expensive necessities of every- 
day life. These accounts tell the secret tale of the material 
bought for building a home and articles with which to set 
up housekeeping. In one place I find i set of cups and 
saucers, 4 knives and forks, two pairs of shoes, one costing 
two pounds twelve shillings ($13), the other one pound 
eighteen shillings ($9.50). A closer study might describe 
the habits and the growth of your ancestors who bought 
of Shadrach Watson rum, molasses, sugar, hay, flour 
britches, shoes, wool, cloth, brandy, rasens, tobaco and^ 
ever and anon, more frequently than all, spirits that doubt- 
less made them good natured, a means that fortunately 
has given place to more sober habits. 

Passing over many other names that must have figured 
grandly for SedgA\^ick, I may say that Robert Biard settled 
farther up the Reach on the point which bears his name. 
This happened soon after the Naskeeg settlement and was 
the beginning of the development in what was called the 
western part of the town. Soon other families came into 
that vicinity, notably the Gra's. From these was named 
the pond which we call Walker's, the place of one of Sedg- 
wick's great industries, the large ice plant of the Maine 
Lake Ice Co. 

Near the Gra's was located John Lee, who had a mill 
at the portage between Gra's Pond and the head of Baga- 
duce River. 

Soon after these earlier settlers had established them- 
selves on these shores of Sedgwick there was for several 
years a wave of immigration to Sedg^vick. Family after 
family came. First they settled on Naskeeg Point, then 
others along the reach toward Center Harbor; also along 
the eastern side of the peninsula about Heirrick's Bay. 
James Fly pushed down upon the point of his name. Soon 
from Harriman's Point to Blue Hill families were 
living along the shore of Birchland, William Wells and 



Historical Sketch. 15 

Samuel Hale being prominent home-makers. Then on 
either side and about Benjamin's River began to live his- 
toric families and by 1790 more than sixty families had 
distributed themselves all over this town, comprising what 
is now Brooklin, Sedgwick and part of Brooksville. 

You may remember in a former part of this sketch that 
a grant was made to David Marsh and others in 1762. By 
1784 the country was fairly well filled up with sturdy peo- 
ple. But the difficulties encountered were very hard and 
severe. While the settlers had striven to do their best, the 
conditions imposed by the grant had not been and could 
not be fulfilled. Knowing their titles were defective, a 
petition was sent to the General Court, setting forth the 
situation. The legislature generously passed a special en- 
abling act, whereby the proprietors and settlers might se- 
cure good titles on four conditions, viz. : 

1. If there were 60 frame dwelling houses; 

2. If there were 60 protestant families; 

3. If there were built a meeting-house; 

4. If there was employed and settled a learned protes- 
tant minister. And all this within five years. 

In all probability the first two conditions were in effect. 
In 1788 the proprietors built a meeting-house across the 
river above the present bridge. And about as soon nego- 
tiations were going on to settle a town minister. These 
legal preliminaries put the settlement on the best footing 
it ever had had. With numerous, increasing inhabitants 
and the development of the people moving on with acceler- 
ated speed, the time was fast approaching when there 
should be the means for civil functions in accordance with 
the old New England town-meeting. So in 1789 the Gen- 
eral Court passed an act of incorporation of the Town of 
Sedgwick. On April 6, 1789, the citizens met in a legal 
town meeting and elected proper officers. John Billings 
was moderator; Joshua Snow, town clerk; Joshua Snow, 



1 6 Historical Sketch. 

John Billmgs and Joseph Freethy, whose wife was the 
first child born in Sedg-wick, were chosen selectmen. The 
next year a survey was made of the town, David Carlton 
doing most of the work with the identical instrument dis- 
played in this centennial museum. In this survev the only 
road which appears to have existed came down from the 
Blue Hill line through North Sedgwick, turning at the 
corner near David Thurston's, thence running straight to 
Sedgwick Bay, through the woods; thence turning west 
and south through Brooklin village and ending at Naskeeg 
Point. A part of the way this road followed the present 
lay-out, but when nearer Naskeeg" its oourse lay nearer 
the water than now. This was the first old county road. 
Some time after another county road ran from Lee's Mill 
near Walker's Pond to the meeting-house (the present 
town-house). At a later period this was connected with 
the former county road, over Beaver Dam bridge up by 
Doctor's corner. This spot was named after old Doctor 
Tenney who lived near there and healed what few ills and 
ails afflicted the people. For five years after this lay-out 
roads were prospected or built with great activity. Some 
that were voted were never built. And many that were 
used by those who made them raij -anywhere from a few 
to several rods distant from present roads. 

This town was; incoq^orated the same year, the same 
month that the United States became a national govern- 
ment. So this town is of equal age with the great republic 
of which it is a glorious part. 

The religious life of Sedgwick has been an important 
factor in the town's development. Perhaps it may be 
safelv said that religion has been the mainspring of its 
growing strength. The leading mem of the town in the 
early days were the pillars of the town church. Besides 
the history of the religious beginnings of Sedgwick is a 
full chapter in the town's history. So some place must 



Historical Sketch. \j 

be given in this sketch to trace the rise of relig-ious senti- 
ment into the regular organization of the town church, 
which has an unbroken existence unto this centennial of the 
First Baptist Church here. 

This region was settled during the two decades after 
1762. The efforts to subdue a forest and plant secure 
homes in a land far away from their former more settled 
abode to the "westward" took most of the attention and 
energy of these early settlers. So it was a considerable 
time before the people could make any satisfactory pro- 
vision for any regular religious services. 

But do not forget that these sturdy pioneers were reared 
in the old towns of Massachusetts under the influence of 
the schools, the religious institutions and the Puritan 
preachers of that day. Hence, true to their religious pro- 
clivities, the town records of Blue Hill preserve the vote in 
1768: "to raise money to hire a person for to preach the 
Gospel to us and for to pay his board," with the added 
record, "so that we may not bring up our children like the 
heathen." It is doubtful if the provisions of this vote were 
carried out very soon. It tends to show that the settlers 
hereabouts had regard for religious concerns amid the ra- 
vages of Indian hostility and the vissicitudes of making the 
path of civilization by shore and inland. 

About the time of settlement of this part of Maine some 
interested Congregationalists of Connecticut formed a Mis- 
sionary Society and sent out missionaries to the newer 
settlements of New England and to some extent into New 
York state. From the reports of these missionaries, those 
which have been preserved, a very pathetic story may be 
read of the religious destitution of these various regions. 
A report as late as 1796 relates the pitiable meagreness of 
church privileges in the counties of Lincoln, Hancock and 
Washington. 



1 8 Historical Sketch. 

There were scarcely any church buildings where the peo- 
ple could meet and, often where there were, it was next to 
impossible to secure the services of a minister. The place 
where we now worship and celebrate so many delightful 
religious experiences had no meeting-house for several 
years, and for some time after the first rude stnicture was 
built only in part, the people of Sedgwick and vicinity did 
not know the pleasure of a minister to preach to them reg- 
ularly. 

As this was the general condition the spiritual people 
of God in the more civilized parts of Southern New Eng- 
land took deep interest in the conditions they heard existed 
along the coast of Maine. And they seem to have been 
more anxious about the people living in the territory east 
of the Penobscot than in any others. 

This interest was shared by more than one denomina- 
tion. Daniel Little, who probably first preached in Blue 
Hill, was the minister, whose reports to the Congregational 
missionary society referred to gave such a dark picture 
of religious destitution. By this he, doubtless, meant the 
absence of churches, meeting-houses and settled ministers. 
The fathers felt they were in a sad condition if they did 
not have a place consecrated to God. w^here they might as- 
semble for divine worship, did not have an ordained min- 
ister to marry couples and give Christian burial to such 
persons as might die. And if this is religious destitution 
there was enough of it all along these now Christian 
shores. 

In 1783 a Baptist named Macomber, who had found a 
work to do in the vicinity of the mouth of the Kennebec 
River, wrote a very glowing account of the religious needs 
of that region to a prominent Baptist father, Isaac Backus, 
in Massachusetts. This letter being read to another man, 
Isaac Case, stirred his heart to come all the long journey to 
the Maine coast to relieve these conditions. But no sooner 



Historical Sketch. 19 

had he planted Baptist churches on the other side of Penob- 
scot Bay than the news he heard of the needs this side im- 
pelled him to find in this region a veritable Macedonia, 
It is not so remarkable that he crossed to Castine and made 
a tour to the eastward as near here as Blue Hill. But it is 
very remarkable that he constantly toured extensively with 
great frequency from Castine to Mount Desert and on to 
the province of New Brunswick. The conditions east of 
the Penobscot constantly urged him away from home to 
this destitute region. The other brethren caught the 
spirit; in their associations frequently passing the vote "to 
send a missionary to preach and administer the ordinances 
of the Gospel in the eastern country." Father Case was 
usually the "missionary" and his tours generally took him 
through Blue Hill or Sedgwick. He was present at the 
organization of this church, giving the hand of fellowship 
to its constituent members. And we have receipts de- 
claring that lie preached here in Sedgwick in the autumn 
of 1819. 

For the first years Isaac Case seems to have made per- 
sonal tours this way for the most part. In 1804, however, 
the Massachusetts Baptist Missionarv Society was organ- 
ized and at its first board meeting appointed two mission- 
aries for Maine, Father Case one of them; he doing most 
of his work east of the Penobscot, and thereabouts. The 
spirit and purpose of these Massachusetts Baptists as well 
as the general opinion entertained of religious conditions 
along this coast may be judged from some expressions in 
the introduction which they must have shown in these very 
parts: "To our Christian Brethren and Friends whose 
lot is cast in the wilderness, remote from the stated minis- 
try of the Word and ordinances, the Committee of the 
Mass. Baptist Missionary Society sendeth greeting:— In 
compliance with their wishes we have appointed our be- 
loved brethren, th.e Rev. Missionaries, Tripp and Case, to 



20 Historical Sketch. 

visit and preach with you as opportunities may present 
themselves." 

By the time these were sent out into this reg-ion by the 
Massachusetts Baptists, the people of Sedgwick and vi- 
cinity were enjoying regular privileges and especially gift- 
ed preaching from Daniel Merrill, and there was a fine 
meeting-house and the largest church in the district of 
Maine. Yet the conditions here presented were the rule 
not very far from where this church stands. At the time 
referred to our first town minister was himself going on 
preaching tours alone and with Father Case even before 
the organization of this church. Case writes in one of his 
letters that he had the aid of Rev. Daniel Merrill "who was 
also out on a mission; we mutually joined together as two 
brothers engaged in the same great cause." 

Along about 1790 appeared in Boston Jesse Lee, the 
pioneer in New England of Methodism. He was very 
active in flitting about all over New England on his itin- 
erating journeys to preach the pure gospel of an effective 
atonement of free grace. By 1794 his District compre- 
hended nominally, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and 
Maine, but virtually the whole Methodist interest in New 
England. A year of extraordinary travels and gigantic 
labors was before him, but influenced by a zeal as steady 
as it was vivid, he went forth upon it like the sun shining 
in his strength. He passed in a rapid flight and with un- 
remitting labors through Connecticut. Rhode Island, East- 
ern Massachusetts and far into the interior of Maine, 
amidst snow-drifts and wintry storms; back again through 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the Islands of Nan- 
tucket and Martha's Vineyard, and again through Massa- 
chusetts and Maine into the British provinces; and back 
yet again to the interior of Connecticut. It is recorded 
that about 1793 he crossed the Penobscot Bay and preached 
in Penobscot, perhaps what is now North Castine. After 



Historical Sketch. 



21 



this there appears to have been a reg-ular Penobscot circuit. 
Year after year Lee, alone or accompanied by some other 
earnest brother, was present in Penobscot and in this direc- 
tion passing on to the eastward, but halting and preaching 
everywhere. 

There are reasons to believe that he may have preached 
in the meeting-house in this town, as he came to Sedgwick 
in his tours. Or if not some circuit itinerant must have 
done so. For the town voted in 1810 to allow the Metho- 
dists the use of the meeting-house the first Sabbaths in 
August and November. 

All this touring of men of different denominations and 
personalities elucidates two important facts, vital to the 
study of the religious beginnings of Sedgwick. First, 
there was a deep sense of the religious needs of the grow- 
ing settlements hereabouts that impelled men of religious 
fervor and spiritual power to try to supply the means of 
grace as best they could in frequent visits. Second, by 
means of this great interest and spiritual labor the people 
now growing to considerable numbers received religious 
privileges and needed Christian instruction and care. Be- 
sides, the fact that representatives of three growing de- 
nominations, off and on, preached to them in private 
house, in school-house or in meeting-house, if there was 
one, gave the people the chance to think deenly on religious 
truth and to determine what was the truest interpretation 
of the Bible and of doctrine. This tended to produce 
vigorous and thoughtful men of religion and to raise the 
spiritual tone of such churches as should arise. From this 
on there was sure to develop strong conviction and intelli- 
gent faith. 

The beginnings of the religious life of Sedgwick is usu- 
ally associated with the coming to this town of the founder 
of this church. But the records and traditions reveal 
that this coming to Sedgwick of a regular minister was 



22 Historical Sketch. 

not so much the beginning of after history as the stage of 
reHgious progress, because of what had been definitely done 
before. 

As missionary of the Connecticut society before men- 
tioned, Rev. Daniel Little spent much time and labor in 
these parts, organizing a congregational church of four- 
teen members at Blue Hill. He probably went about this 
region. It is recorded that he married very many couples 
in the various centers. It is very probable that many of 
your ancestors who established homes by marriage before 
1793, had, as officiating clergyman, Little and other mis- 
sionaries who travelled and preached extensively, making 
the little church at Blue Hill their headquarters. 

It is very evident that these preachers came to Sedgwick; 
for the town records and proprietors' records speak of ne- 
gotiations with a certain Mr. Cleveland, looking to his set- 
tlement as town minister. The records of Blue Hill 
church and missionary reports mention his name among 
the men who preached at Blue Hill. It is likely that dur- 
ing a visit to that place he came to Sedgwick and the 
growing settlement here took steps to have him settle. 

Sometime before 1789 land had been cleared somewhere 
in what is now Brooklin to build a meeting-house; nothing, 
however, came of this. In 1784 the proprietors of Sedg- 
wick secured a special act of the General Court of Massa- 
chusetts whereby they could have allotments of land for 
themselves, and for the settlers not proprietors. But these 
titles were on condition that among other provisions there 
should be a "meeting-house for the public worship of God" 
and "settled a learned protestant minister." So we find 
that the proprietors, at a meeting held September 20, 1787, 
within one year of this act, voted "a committee to discourse 
with Rev. Mr. Cleveland to see whether they can agree to 
settle him." At their next meeting, March 25th of the 
year following, a meeting in which only action concerning 



Historical Sketch. 23 

a meeting-house was taken, it was voted, "that Meeting- 
house should be built at Benjamin's River on the East 
side;" that the meeting-house should be 36 ft. by 31 feet. 
16 feet stud." A committee, consisting of Benjamin 
Friend. Moses Eaton, Ebenezer Eaton, was appointed "to 
set a price on all the work and cost of building the meet- 
ing-house" and "to take care of building" the same. 

This meeting-house was built, in part at least, very soon. 
For on the eighteenth of December, 1789, a town-meeting 
was held in the meeting-house at Benjamin's River. All 
subsequent town-meetings were held in this old meeting- 
house until the middle of 1794, after which they were called 
to be holden in the meeting-house, which had been built that 
year, and is now known as the town-house. The location 
of this older building is pretty definitely located, because old 
roads are described on the records with reference to the 
"old Meeting-House," which means that built in 1788 or 
1789 on the East side of Benjamin's River, so-called. It 
was located on what is called the Point north of "Aunt 
Sukie Eaton's cove." It was set about forty rods from 
the river where the settlers forded it. Traces of its foun- 
dation have recently been identified by reputable citizens 
whose memory and judgment are trustworthy. 

Here for six years or so the people of this town (perhaps 
numbering about 500) on both sides of the river met to 
worship God, and to make the beginning that led their 
first pastor to say of them before his death : "This people 
were .... a thinking and remarkably religious peo- 
ple. About one-half of the adults were considered truly 
pious. . . . They were humble and desirous of know- 
ing and doing the will of God." Here we know Mr. Cleve- 
land must have preached four Sundays in 1789. Here 
Rev. Daniel Merrill must have preached those eloquent ser- 
mons in 1 79 1, which made the people so anxious to have 
him as their minister that they renewed their call after 



24 Historical Sketch. 

an absence of a year and a half. Here stated services were 
first held. So that spot recently identified is the religious 
Beth-el of Sedgwick's religious privileges. 

About this Mr. Cleveland, w^ith whom negotiations for 
settlement were opened, some facts and surmises are of 
interest. Somewhere near the middle of the eighteenth cen- 
tury two sons of a famous New England Congregational 
preacher, John Qeveland, attended Yale college. It is re- 
lated that they once attended from curiosity a Baptist meet- 
ing near New Haven. For this highly suspicious act, they 
were severely censured by the president and peremptorily 
suspended from the college. These two young men after- 
wards became regularly ordained Congregational ministers; 
one settled over a church, becoming a famous theologian 
and preacher; the other Cleveland was, perhaps, of a little 
less ability in those lines, though he became very useful in 
relation to Dartmouth College, and in evangelistic tours, 
several of which he made about the time our records speak 
of the town voting "to clear three acres of land for Mr. 
Cleveland's house, to pay one-half of Mr. Cleve- 
land's salary the present Fall" (1789). About the 
time in question he made his home in the vicinity of Glou- 
cester, and is known to have preached extensively, as calls 
came to him. About this same time a man by this name 
did preach at Blue Hill, and our town and proprietors evi- 
dently had relations with this Cleveland, for he did preach 
here for a time, and it looked once, as if he would be a set- 
tled minister here, and have the honor of laying the corner- 
stone of Sedgwick's religious life. If the Cleveland who 
came near being town minister in 1789-90 was the same 
man who was suspended from Yale College, the settlers of 
this town had for those times the rare privileges of preach- 
ing from a man of intellect and independence. At least 
one thing is certain that the first attempt to provide relig- 
ious privileges here is connected with the building of the old 



Historical Sketch. 25 

meeting-house, built in 1788 or 89, and with the attempt to 
settle Mr. Cleveland, who had preached several weeks. 

Evidently owing to the fast growth of the settlement in 
the limits of the town of Sedgwick, along in 1790 there 
was much agitation concerning whether the people should 
go to church at one or at more places. Several conflicting 
votes were taken, first to have one meeting-house (which 
would probably be the one at Benjamin's River) and then 
to have two (which would give one for the Naskeag dis- 
trict, and one in the vicinity of Gra's or Walker's Pond). 
Then the proprietors would vote to raise money to finish 
their present meeting-house, and the town would annul its 
vote for two places. This can only be accounted for by 
imagining how the town was fast settling in different parts, 
and there were three distinct views as to the matter of 
church privilege. One set wanted one here at the village, 
because the mill of Moses Eaton was here, and here was to 
be the business center. Another set wanted to have a 
meeting-house down near the place on Naskeag Point, 
where the first settlements had been made. Still a third 
element was anxious to have a meeting in the western part 
of the town. These three ideas evidently strove for mas- 
tery. But not until the arrival of Rev. Daniel Merrill did 
the question find solution. Even then it was a compro- 
mise. He was hired with the understanding that he 
should preach four days every year at each end of the town. 

Moreover, not fully satisfied with the location of the meet- 
ing house then standing, they provided to build new meet- 
ing-house in the exact center of the town. So a commit- 
tee was appointed to determine that spot. Accordingly 
that was found to be on land of Benjamin Friend. So the 
new meeting-house was built in 1794, where the Town 
House now is (which is a part of that fine edifice for 1794). 
And for forty-three years this second meeting-house of 
Sedgwick was in use by the inhabitants, and in it occurred 



26 Historical Sketch. 

great scenes. There were preached the great sermons which 
awoke the people to the claims of God, and which shook this 
whole town in a way we can scarcely imagine, as Rev. 
Daniel Merrill, the great pioneer and father, delivered those 
"Seven Sermons on the Mode and Subjects of Baptism." 
This is enough to make any four walls sacred. Thirty 
years ago Rev. C. G. Porter in an address "in memory of 
the Fathers in the Baptist ministry of Maine" says he be- 
lieves the old house in which Merrill preached those epoch- 
al sermons still in part stands; and adds: "And it ought 
to stand, as long as its timbers will hold together, like some 
old dismantled fort, out of which round shot, hot shot and 
shells have rained upon the enemy's lines." Indeed, that 
old church is the monument of a great man's sway over a 
noble people, your fathers and mothers, of great surren- 
ders to Jesus Christ and mighty conflicts whose victories 
are apparent in illustrious names in this present strong 
church, and in this beloved town of morality and patriot- 
ism. 

Thought of the old meeting-house on the hill is associat- 
ed with the name of the man who became Sedgwick's first 
Town Minister. At the annual town meeting in 1791 five 
votes were passed relative to providing church privileges. 
A proposition to raise 500 dollars to build two meeting- 
houses was defeated; the selectmen were instructed to pro- 
vide preaching four months during the summer; the town 
was to be divided into three districts for preaching; one- 
half of an unexpended Great Tax was appropriated for 
preaching. According to this action the people seemed to 
have determined to settle a minister. Negotiations with 
Mr. Qeveland must have caused a general desire for a set- 
tled minister. The selectmen sent for Mr. Merrill through 
some other person. If Mr. Cleveland was the one spoken 
of, a man whose relations with Dartmouth College were 
close, it may be that Benjamin Friend, Wm. Wells and 



Historical Sketch. 27 

Nicholas Snow, sent to Mr. Cleveland who recommended 
the man who had graduated at Dartmouth less than two 
years before. Mr. Merrill in his first sermon in Sedgwick 
this same April says, he had been sent for through an inter- 
mediate party. 

At any rate Daniel Merrill came to Sedgwick to fulfil a 
four months' engagement. He preached, in all probability, 
in the old meeting-house on the Eastern side of Benjamin's 
River, some Sunday in April, using as his text Acts 10:29. 
"Therefore, came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon 
as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye 
have sent for me?" In this sermon he declared the pur- 
pose of his ministry and the pure evangelistic tone of 
preaching they might expect from him. 

It appears that this young preacher was more than ordi- 
narily satisfying to the people. For on May 13, probably 
only a few Sundays after his first visit, the town voted "to 
see if anyone would object against the selectmen for the 
time being employing Mr. Merrill the four months as voted 
in annual meeting or the fourth of April." After two 
months more his popularity had so increased that a meet- 
ing was called "to see if the town will agree to employ Mr. 
Daniel Merrill any longer time than they have agreed for 
already," when the original four months was lengthened by 
six weeks additional service. Yet in September steps were 
taken looking to his settlement as regular town minister; 
two meetings were held for the purpose; and the way seems 
to have been fully cleared for establishing a regular church 
with full church privileges. 

The meeting-house before referred to, being the property 
of the proprietors and not wholly satisfactory in location, 
the first provision was as to erecting a suitable building. 
So many projects for church meeting places had been pro- 
posed that this confused condition required settling. So 
they voted to disannul all previous votes as to meeting- 



28 Historical Sketch. 

houses, and "to have a meeting-house as near the center of 
this town as the land will admit." To accomplish this a 
committee was chosen to go and see where the center of the 
town is, and to say where the meeting-house shall be built. 
Accordingly David Carlton, Solomon Billings, Ebenezer 
Herrick, John Walker and Samuel Hale selected the spot 
where the town-house now stands and the gift of Benjamin 
Friend of land for the same was accepted by the town. 

At this same meeting further votes were taken looking to 
building one commodious meeting-house in the determined 
center ; and a formal call was given to Daniel Merrill to set- 
tle as the town minister and as a Congregational minister. 
Further to show their interest in his settlement, they voted 
to clear land for tillage and for a house, said house to be 
36 feet by 28 feet, to board same, finish one-half of said 
house and dig and stone cellar, the house to be seven feet 
stud, gambrel roof. This house was to be finished in 18 
months, and "Mr. Merrill was to have a salary of (£50) 
250 dollars a year for the first three years and (£75) 375 
dollars after the expiration of the three years, during the 
time he shall supply our pulpit.'" 

At a subsequent meeting in the same month further pro- 
visions were made for building a new centrally located 
meeting-house, and for cementing the proposed contract 
with Mr. Merrill. The records say, "Mr. Merrill's salary 
was to be paid every six months annually, so long as he per- 
sonally supplies our pulpit." "Mr. Merrill must expect to 
preach in the year annually four days at one end of the 
town, and four days at the other;" "Mr. Merrill have four 
weeks to visit his friends at the westward, or elsewhere, the 
same being reducted out of his salary." At another sub- 
sequent meeting this seeming want of generosity was over- 
ruled by the vote to pay his salary for this respite to visit 
his friends, and the following may have been a healing 
balm: "Mr. Merrill's salary be paid, suppose he should be 



Historical Sketch. 29 

sick for a month or six weeks annually, with any common 
sickness, the same as if he were well." 

Notwithstanding all this very full evidence of the pleas- 
ure of the settlers in this preacher, and of the disposition of 
the town to make full and generous provision for those 
times in order that they might establish public worship on 
a strong basis, and their chosen minister might have a home 
and a church, the young minister seems to have failed to ac- 
cept this hearty and flattering call. For he went away giv- 
ing the people no definite answer. And in March, 1793, 
seemingly after being left without church services, the town 
voted to hire 200 dollars, and to appoint the selectmen to 
hire preaching the present summer, and secure a minister. 

Though the settlement of Merrill seemed to have fallen 
through, about this time, negotiations were again opened 
with him, and June 19, 1793, he gave an affirmative answer 
to the call extended in 1791. This most pleasing result 
stimulated formal action looking to carrying out the plans 
of 1 79 1, for minister's house and meeting-house, which lat- 
ter was probably completed in 1794. 

By the securing of a town minister, time was ripe for the 
organization of a church. In fact, Sedgwick followed a 
different plan than Blue Hill, where they formed a church 
organization twenty-two years before their first pastor was 
settled. Here the opposite plan obtained of carefully and 
definitely determining the preliminaries, and then organiz- 
ing the church after they had a town minister and a suita- 
ble minister settled by a unanimous vote. 

Soon after Rev. Peter Powers and other delegates from 
the Congregational church on Deer Isle came and examined 
a number of Christians in this town, some of whom had 
joined the Deer Isle church. On July 8, 1793. the Church 
of Christ in Sedgwick was constituted thus with twenty- 
two original members. They were Daniel Merrill, Jonas 
Dodge, Richard Wells, Ebenezer Eaton, Abel Billings, 



30 Historical Sketch. 

Amaziah Dodge, Ebenezer Herrick, Solomon Billings. Na- 
than Osgood, Elias Bartlett, Silas Bunker, Sarah Dogherty, 
Lydia Dodge, Mary Bunker, Lucy Emerton, Hannah 
Douglas, Abigail Biard, Marcy Dodge, Abigail Billings, 
Hephzibah Cleaves, Rachel Smith, Joanna Hawley. The 
records say, "The above persons were all who composed the 
first Christian church which was ever constituted on the 
shores of Sedgwick. May God of his infinite mercy 
grant that it may continue a pure church so long as the 
sun and moon endure. May he never suffer the gates of 
death to prevail against it." The prayer of that sainted 
first town minister and devoted pastor has been fulfilled so 
far for nearly one hundred and twelve years. For this 
is practically the same church of Christ in Sedgwick, 
though changed from the Congregational to the Baptist 
platform in 1805. 

On that same day, the eighth of July, 1793, the town 
church adopted certain articles of faith, and a covenant. 
The organization of this original town church was soon 
followed by its proper recognition, and the ordination of its 
pastor. So on September 16, 1793, a council was conven- 
ed with pastors and delegates from Deer Isle, Newburyport, 
Byfield and Salem. They declared themselves satisfied 
with the examination of the candidate, and on September 
17, 1793. he was ordained with the following program: 
Powers of Deer Isle gave the charge to the people and of- 
fered the ordaining prayer; Dr. Samuel Spring of New- 
buryport preached the sermon and gave the concluding 
prayer; Parish of Byfield gave Mr. Merrill the right hand 
of fellowship. 

Thus was fully established the first church of Christ in 
this town with the man as its under shepherd who was to 
lead them, almost continuously by influence or in person for 
the next fortv vears. 



Historical Sketch. 31 

The g^ood favor of God attended his labors. With the 
new and commodious house occupied the next year, with 
the country fast filHng up with settlers, and with 
the more than ordinary ability of a consecrated minister of 
recognized learning, the young church grew in numbers, in 
spirit, and in influence. Besides New England was swept 
by a great revival about 1798, due largely to the evangelis- 
tic work of Jonathan Edwards and George Wbitefield. 
There was no under-or cross-current of an unevangeli- 
cal tone to disturb the progress of a strong work of pure 
grace. Daniel Merrill preached with eloquent directness 
to the will of the people here; he had a large, respectful 
hearing; people came from all about to hear him and to 
come under his influence; he went far and wide during this 
period to preach Christ and Him crucified. One of the 
early settlers of this town moved his family from farther 
north so as to bring up his family under the vigorous and 
nourishing ministry of this man, whose power was famed 
far from Sedgwick. Thus the Church of Christ in Sedg- 
wick had additions constantly. From 1798 to 1801, those 
who came in were the result of the precious revival that 
gfave sinew and strength to our religious beginnings. 

From the organization to February. 1799, when the great 
revival began, twenty-six united with the church, making 
forty-eight members to that date. But during 1799, sev- 
enty-two were received; in 1800, fifteen; in 1801, one; in 
1802, fifty-two; and in 1803, six more. In 1805 the town 
church numbered one hundred eighty-nine, and was said to 
be the largest protestant church anywhere in the District of 
Maine. Its influence was almost as extensive. 

Rev. Daniel Merrill was a host in himself; but owing 
possibly to his extensive tours from New Brunswick to the 
western edges of the state, in 1796. Ebenezer Eaton was 
chosen after the custom of those times an elder. And at 
the same time deacons were appointed in the persons of 



32 Historical Sketch. 

Amaziah Dodg-e and Abel Billings. These were increased 
in 1 80 1 by choice of Jonathan Allen as elder and Samuel 
Herrick as deacon. Thus the first deacons of the present 
church were high office-bearers in the older body. 

Toward 1805 the old town church was strong and well- 
equipped in pastor, in officers, in members, in meeting- 
house, in prestige, in revival spirit, in everything which 
could develop an influential church of Christ. But in- 
fluences were at work in the church which operated in pas- 
tor and leading members to test the Scriptural argument 
for believer's baptism. Discussion and the preaching of 
the famed "Seven Sermons on the Subjects and Mode of 
Baptism," (autumn of 1804) resulted in about three- 
fourths of the church imbibing so-called Baptist sentiments 
against infant sprinkling, in favor of the biblical interpreta- 
tion of New Testament baptism as immersion. 

A climax was reached, when at the call of the opponents 
of this result a town-meeting was held on January 28, 1805, 
to determine public sentiment as to the way things were 
tending in the town-church. A decisive vote showed the 
town was in sympathy with the change from the Congre- 
gational to the Baptist platform. For the vote made the 
town church Baptist and hired Rev. Daniel Merrill as a Bap- 
tist minister. Thus the town gave its sanction to a Bap- 
tist church four and half months before there was one in 
the ecclesiastical sense. 

The church, however, took action to this end on Feb- 
ruary 28, and the formalities occurred on May 14 and 15, 
1805, by the assistance of the men from abroad whose 
names have become historic in connection with this very 
historic church. 

This old church with its changed form grew apace with 
the years, still enjoying its prestige and extending its in- 
fluence. In 1828 the present Brooklin church went off, 
and in 1843 the one at North Sedgwick. After a few years 



Historical Sketch. 33 

it ceased to be legally the town church, but it still retains 
the influence it has always had, so far as the above churches 
have not assumed a part of the territory. 

Thus are sketched the events, the causes, the develop- 
ments, the influences that tell the story of religious begin- 
nings in Sedgwick. Thus must be understood the religious 
factor of our town life. Out of the old town church 
sprung the influences in the formation period of the town 
which made our citizens law-abiding, home-loving, decided- 
ly religious and responsive to every force for real moral 
and civil upbuilding. 

Sedgwick has sent to all the wars its heroic sons. A 
good quota of men living here in 1775- 1783 fought in the 
revolution. Babsons and Watsons have been called to my 
attention. Shadrach Watson died as a ship prisoner in 
an American port confined by the English. 

During the war of 18 12 this town suffered extremely 
from the attacks and depredations of the English vessels. 
It is said that the English naval officers used to spot trees 
in this town with the mark of the royal navy, wherever 
they found excellent timber for the royal ships of England. 
The English occupied Castine and spread consternation and 
misery everywhere. From the records it appears on ac- 
count of this occupation town affairs and meetings were 
suspended until after the war was over. On one occasion 
the people sent a delegation to the English officer at Castine 
to beg his clemency and to beseech a cessation of his cruel 
overrunning of this town and of the trouble caused by the 
English soldiery. At the outbreak of this war votes were 
passed to buy and store powder and other stock in a safe 
place. After due consideration it was on one occasion 
stored in the loft of the meeting-house and on another un- 
der the stairs in the meeting-house. The danger of its 
being ignited by the dynamic preaching of the first minis- 
ter was probably passed. It was arranged that any sudden 



34 Historical Sketch. 

danger of attack might be warded off by a signal which 
was hoisting a blanket and firing three shots. 

Then came the so-called Aroostook War, in which many 
of Sedgwick's finest men bore a worthy part. "General" 
Dority had a high commission, and the father of the orator 
of this Home Day celebration also was lieutenant colonel 
in this episode of Maine history. 

The Civil \\'ar, too, on land and sea, had a noble band 
of men from old Sedgwick. Just how many went from 
here I can not say. But it is a pleasant fact that Sedgwick 
did no small part in saving this union from disruption and 
from a great moral wrong. And the survivors of the 
Sedgwick boys ot the Civil War unfurled our town flag 
to the breeze at the beginning of this Centennial. 

A noble word ought to be said concerning the men who 
have held honorable office in this town and who have re- 
presented it in the General Court of Massachusetts until 
1820 and since that time in Maine legislation. The facts 
in mv possession are so incomplete that I prefer to be im- 
partial; mentioning none until I can do justice to all. 
This may be declared that Sedgwick has been represented by 
its worthiest sons and the town has enjoyed the services of 
men of staunch character, of sturdy independence, and of 
more than ordinary ability. This has made our affairs to 
move forward in a statesmanlike manner, so that Sedgwick 
ranks high, in the list of our Maine coast towns, for moral- 
ity, for thrift, for peace-loving character and for all that 
ennobles her homes, her state and her nation. Well might 
she take the motto of her Herrick family and make it her 
seal : "Virtue makes all things noble." 

To the visitor back to the old home, it might seem that 
Sedgwick has no industrial life. But let none forget that 
once Sedgwick was one of the busiest places on this coast. 
Before this town was divided (Brooksznlh set off in 1817, 
Brooklin in 1849), hundreds of ships and vessels were 



Historical Sketch. 35 

built at Sedgwick Bay, at Herrick Bay, and this activity 
was very great in our own Benjamin's River. 

There are old residents who relate how the Carltons 
built good sized craft on their side of the river and how 
this one and that one put afloat boats fitted out here. I 
wish I could give you the list and I think you could get a 
picture of how this town was built up, as men sailed the sea 
and brought back their honest gains to develop and beau- 
tify their native town. 

Quite early Moses Eaton built a dam and had a mill here. 
But in a few years he linked his brothers, possibly others, 
in a partnership to extend manufacture. So a larger and 
better dam was built farther down the stream just below 
the bridge. This gave a better head and a fuller supply. 
On this end was the saw mill, the grist mill nearer the cen- 
ter; and a cloth mill was on the other end. 

There was much carding of wool in those days. One 
mill existed above the Carlton brook and some can remem- 
ber the Briggs mill on the hill to the west of the meeting- 
house. The building was brought down and is now stand- 
ing on the wharf of Smith Brothers. The existence of 
these industries shows how thrifty were the people and how 
there was once in this town considerable manufacturing. 

In recent years there has been utilized the abundant re- 
sources of Walker's Pond by the construction there of the 
extensive ice plant above Sargentville. This is one of the 
largest affairs of its kind, and when in full operation em- 
ploys a great number of persons and turns out a \-ery large 
out-put which goes annually to southern cities. 

Mercantile interests have been fully develo;^ed here. 
Very early there have been stores in this village keDt by dif- 
ferent persons with a growing trade. The Sargents many 
years ago began a store in the Reach district. This has 
become a considerable plant of about eleven buildings with 
an extensive trade. This plant has, while developing what 



3^ Historical Sketch. 

has become the W. G. Sargent Co., brought into existence 
the thrifty village of Sargentville. 

I wish I knew more about the various industries and 
stores which grew up in this town years ago that I might 
chronicle this feature of our life of the past. But it should 
be mentioned that the store now kept by Smith Brothers, 
whose trade is ever extending, is a very old stand, running 
back for a good many years. 

A good deal of attention might be given to the growth 
of education in this town. From the earliest period the 
citizens made ample provisions, for those times, for the 
training of the children. In a very early town-meeting 
the major items were for locating no less than six schools 
in as many school districts. While it is amusing to know 
how meagre were the salaries of teachers, how crude the 
educational privileges and how simple the accommodations, 
the earlier people seem to have felt the deep need for the 
best education they could give. They appropriated con- 
siderable sums, they appointed the best people in town for 
teachers and for superintending committee, paying these 
fifty cents for each visit. It is remarkable how early they 
supported a man's school which was supposed to mean a 
better one. We know that Daniel Merrill, Jr., was edu- 
cated for the work of a teacher, and taught in this town; 
also that men studied the art with him. There are present 
in the museum the very maps used in this town by Rev. 
Ebenezer Mirick as a man teacher. I regret that I have 
not been able to investigate the history of education in this 
town sufficiently to give you a fuller, more interesting de- 
scription of its rise and growth. Let me say, however, 
that he who was resident and town minister for the better 
part of forty years was a great educator and understood the 
movement for New England culture. It is to be presum»d 
that a man who could found a Maine college and conduct 
in this town a seminary for training ministers, would have 



Historical Sketch. 37 

great influence and interest to lay secure foundations of 
public education in his own town, where he was the recog- 
nized leader in town and state affairs. Moreover, this 
town shows signs of a very high order of intelligence and 
more than ordinary acquaintance with advanced learning. 
Its sons have gone out for higher education; and more 
than an average number of its daughters have prepared 
themselves for teaching in the Normal school at Castine. 
If we are true to the educational traditions of Sedgwick, 
there will always be fostered the best lower schools, our 
high school shall become a permanent department of our 
town program, and American colleges shall receive for 
higher training your sons and daughters. 

I have tried to trace for you some of the outlines of your 
early town history. I am perfectly aware of unsatisfac- 
toriness. The omissions are very many. Let me tell you 
your records are in perfect condition, your sources are nu- 
merous, the material is multiple, the amount of interesting 
facts and important incidents is above the average. Out 
of this wealth of undigested historical material I give you 
a few hints here and there of what was done over a hun- 
dred years ago to people this section with noble representa- 
tives of our sturdy Anglo-Saxon race. Believe it, treas- 
ure it. This town of Sedgwick is a noble people, is a beau- 
tiful spot and has done a worthy part in glorifying a glori- 
ous country. Let your hearts swell with patriotic pride 
and home affection as you come back again to the old fire- 
side and sing and think of Dear Old Maine. 

I've looked today on the dear old hills, 

The dear old hills of my early home; 

I've looked with eyes that were dim with tears. 

That came with thoughts of former years; 

When, like a fluttering, unfledged bird, 

I nestled within my warm home nest, 

And knowing no sorrow and fearing no pain 

I first peeped out on the hills of Maine. 



38 Historical Sketch. 

I've walked today in the grand old woods, 
The grand old woods that my father loved; 
I've pressed my feet on the mossy sod. 
The very same that my mother trod; 
I've picked the berries so ripe and sweet, 
I've breathed the pine tree's fragrant breath, 
And the fairy fountain once again 
Has filled my cup in the woods of Maine. 

I've bathed my brow in the tranquil lake 
That dimples and smiles in the summer sun, 
I've gathered the lilies so pure and white, 
With a tender touch of my old delight; 
Till I longed to lay my burdens down, 
And sink to sleep where the lilies grow; 
I'd wish no dirge but the soft refrain 
That the waters sing in the lakes of Maine. 

I've stood today by the lonely graves, 
Where rest the friends my childhood knew. 
The breeze stole out of the quivering fir, 
The bee flew round with indolent stir. 
The wild bird sought his hidden nest, 
The myrtle wreathed the tangled path — 
And the blinding tears fell down like rain, 
As I bowed my head o'er the graves of Maine. 

O glorious, glorious hills of Maine! 
O beautiful, beautiful woods of Maine! 
O lakes with wealth of shimmering waves I 
O silent spots of the silent graves ! 
Though absent long, I've wandered far. 
Through every change does my heart retain 
And smiled and wept 'neath other skies, 
Its early love — for my dear old Maine! 



REV. DANIEL MERRILL, A. M/ 

AN APPRECIATION 
BY HIS Grandson, Rev. Samuel Pearce Merrill 



In the State of Massachusetts, in the cemetery at George- 
town, formerly a part of Rowley, are the tombstones of 
"Mr. Thomas Merrill, who died April ye 30, 1774, in the 
72nd year of his age, and Abigail Bartlett-Merrill, widow 
of Mr. Thomas Merrill, died October ye 29th, 1784, in ye 
74th year of her age." Close beside theco and in as good 
preservation are two others inscribed as follows: Dea. 
Thomas Merrill died December 26th, 1820, Mt. 81. 
A friend to virtue and to vice a rod : 

A moveless pillar in the church of God. 
Why weep ye christians, for the loss sustained? 
Doubt not that by your loss, his soul has gained. 
Mrs. Sarah Friend- Merrill, consort of Deacon Thomas 
Merrill, died January 7, 181 3, ^t. 71. 

Mortals! How few among your race 
Have given this thought its weight; 
That on this present moment hangs 
Your everlasting state. 
The first pair were the grandparents, the second pair were 
the parents of the Rev. Daniel Merrill. 

Mark the names of the wives. They are so familiar in 
Sedgwick: Bartlett and Friend. 

Near this cemetery in Georgetown, there is still stand- 
ing a large frame house, something like 50 by 35 feet, the 
rear roof sloping down to one story. This house was 
purchased in 1743 by Mr. Thomas Merrill, named above. 

♦Delivered on Sunday, June 11, 1905. 



40 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

In that house, that was at last accounts tenanted by a de- 
scendant of tlie family, the Rev. Daniel Merrill, the second 
of twelve children, was born March i8, 1765. Here his 
childhood and youth were spent. 

The first that we hear of him publicly, is found in the 
town records that chronicle his enlistment in the revolu- 
tionary army as a substitute. The paper reads as follows : 
"This may certify tliat I, the subscriber, have enlisted in 
the Continental Army, for three years from the date hereof 
for Mr. Benjamin Jackman and others classed by the select- 
men of Rowley to procure 1 1 men for the Continental 
Army for three years, and have received thirty hard dollars 
as Advance Pay and an Obligation for one hundred and 
fifty pound, the full sum stipulated for my said three 
years service, by the above-said class. Rowley, February 
ist, 1782." He was then nearly seventeen years old and 
he served for the full three years for which he enlisted. It 
appears that through the dishonesty of Paymaster Nelson 
the sums due him for this service for the year 1783 were 
not paid. It is supposed that the vouchers were dishonest- 
ly disposed of, as Mr. Merrill says "I sent for them, I know 
not how many times, (See letter to Senator Holmes) but 
obtained them not. In the year 1790 I applied to Con- 
gress, then sitting in New York. I went as far as Strat- 
ford in Connecticut, with the purpose of presenting my 
claim personally, but then changed my purpose and wrote." 
In this effort he had not succeeded as late as November, 
1 82 1, when he wrote to Washington, to United States 
Senator Holmes, stating that there was then due him for 
services as a Revolutionary soldier, $915.00; and that he 
had sent to Congress as many as five petitions. I under- 
stand that this claim was paid a few years before his 
death. 

The next step in his career was one of no small moment, 
for we find that immediately after his return from the army 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 41 

he went to college. He and two of his brothers, the Rev. 
Joseph Merrill and the Rev, Nathaniel Merrill, were gradu- 
ates of Dartmouth and were all Congregational ministers. 
The Rev. Daniel Merrill graduated in 1789 and stood 
among the first in his class. After his graduation he 

studied Theology with a neighboring pastor and did some 
preaching in and about Rowley and even in some of the 
adjoining states. In a brief time there was an emigration 
from Rowley and the towns adjoining, to the eastern shore 
of the District of Maine. With this fact he of course was 
familiar, and it would seem that he must have visited the 
Sedgwick settlers at the time of their location in this part 
of the country. He was married August 14, 1793, to 
Joanna, daughter of Deacon Benjamin Colby, of Sandown, 
New Hampshire. With her he went at once to Sedgwick, 
Maine. A church was forming, and the Rev. Daniel Mer- 
rill was ordained as pastor, September 17, 1793. His 
wife died on the 28th of the following month. His work 
was successfully carried on, notwithstanding such a heavy 
affliction, and on the 14th of October, 1794, he was mar- 
ried to his second wife, Susan, daughter of Col. John Gale, 
of Salisbury, New Hampshire. This was a long and happy 
union. The ardent preacher found in his wife a woman of 
poise and good sense and one who was loyal and affection- 
ate, and devoted. She became the fond mother of thirteen 
children, all of whom lived to the age of manhood and 
womanhood. That she was a woman of strong constitu- 
tion, excellent economy, rare industry and a true helpmeet, 
the family life demonstrated in the presence of you all. 

The sermon at the ordination of the Rev. Daniel Merrill 
was preached by Rev. Samuel Spring on i Corinthians 2 :2. 
This pastorate from the first showed a spiritual and evan- 
gelical earnestness that resulted in a comparatively rapid 
growth of the church, as understood to be, the largest 
church in the District of Maine at that time. 



42 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

This man, rather short of stature, was possessed of a 
vigorous and soHd physique, florid complexion, blue eyes, 
quick motion and ready speech. If we could but know his 
experiences of personal religion, we might find the key to 
those traits of character which came out so wonderfully in 
his spiritual leadership. The first of these was his up- 
right and downright loyalty to his Master, and to his 
people. And this loyalty was the key to his action, to his 
preaching and to his influence. This loyalty showed in the 
candor of his mind; in the steadfastness of every advance 
he made in his search for the divine truth and light; in the 
faithfulness and transparency with which the truth and the 
light he received, were reflected upon his people; in the 
clearness with which he made known to each one of his 
responsibility in so far as light had been received; in the 
iteration and reiteration with which he presented the steps 
of his own and of their progress; in the patience with 
which he waited for those who were slow in their grasp 
of the truth, so that through no precipitancy they might be 
led to decide adversely as against their own souls, or be 
stranded and left behind in the great religious movement; 
in the restraint with which he held back those who were in 
advance of himself as to the acceptance of Baptist Prin- 
ciples and Polity; while at the same time he did not dampen 
their ardor or diminish their zeal. Like a true spiritual 
Father he was anxious himself to be right and anxious 
for the least of Christ's little ones to be right as well as 
the strongest. He marched along in the midst of the little 
band until by God's grace they and he together went 
through the waters of Baptism and came out a baptized 
church of God without a remnant of Rome amongst them. 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 43 

Nezv Life. 

The community went with them, so that when the elec- 
tion of a Parish minister came around, he was still selected 
as their chosen pastor. A new ordination took place, of 
which the printed sermon remains. It was preached by 
Rev. Thomas Baldwin, from the text Jude 3. That must 
have been a stirring time! The brethren from far and 
near; the experiences; the baptisms; and a pathetic scene it 
was when being troubled for his master, the faithful old 
New Foundland dog went down into the water, calling 
forth the devoted response from Mr. Merrill, "I hope I shall 
always follow my Master as faithfully as my dog follows 
me." How glorious a Jordan became the Benjamin's river 
that day! From that time the former activity was aug- 
mented, the devotion increased, the faith strengthened, the 
courage emboldened. Henceforth he was not his own. 
He belonged to his church, his Parish, his denomination, 
his country, the world, for Jesus' sake. Now, positive but 
unassuming, he girds himself as an apostle to defend the 
faith by his writings, by his sermons and missionary jour- 
neys and by his counsels toward the organizations needed 
among the churches. At this time he was 40 years of age 
and his family already numbered six children. He had 
been pastor of the church over ten years. They had been 
active years and the written sermons, up to this period, 
numbered 825, showing that the pulpit had not been neg- 
lected, while the membership of the church tells the story 
of the evangelistic work that had been done. Now came 
the development of this new life. It was late for a man 
to begin over again and get his bearings among new inter- 
pretations of scripture and of teaching; to form new min- 
isterial and church relations, to leave old friends and as- 
sociations for new ones; to take hold with a denomination 
that had little but its future before it. Sturdy as a trooper 



44 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

he heard the call of duty, and much as it cost him of oppo- 
sition of relatives, fellowship of friends, risk of the untried 
venture; acknowledgment of the mistakes of the past; de- 
pendence of his family on the future; he left all in the 
hands of his Master and followed Him without a question 
or a misgiving. Through a long process the change had 
come. One can trace the process from month to month 
by the sermons that he preached. What I give you here 
is to be found in these sermons or in his letters. Some of 
these early steps can be traced in a sermon preached Sep- 
tember 1st, 1804 (761) where he uses the text, "The way- 
faring man, though a fool, need not err therein." In this 
he shows to his people that no matter how unlearned any 
one of them may consider himself to be, he could and 
ought to know and understand for himself the simple 
truths of the gospel. In this he was encouraging them to 
search the scriptures and know of the doctrine. We next 
note what he says in a sermon of January 29, 1804. This 
reveals something of the strong and unscrupulous opposi- 
tion that he had at times to meet and overcome. Text, Re- 
velation II, 6. "This thou hast that thou hatest the deeds 
of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." At one part in 
brackets, (perhaps indicating that they were not used), are 
these words : "One of these boastingly said last week, that 
within twenty years all ministers of the Gospel would be 
put down or turned o?^t." The same person did, at the last 
Town Meeting as I have reason to believe, greatly misinter- 
pret my character and conduct. The like, I expect, will 
never be suffered again. The Moderator of any Town 
Meeting has a right and ought to stop all such defamatory 
declamation. Every one who loves the peace of this peo- 
ple, will hate the deeds of those Nicolaitans, who are labor- 
ing to deprive a minister of the confidence of his people. 
Have not I property? Have not I a family? Have not I 
rights at stake as well as any of you ? Are not your liber- 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. |" 45 

ties and mine embarked in the same bottom? Am I not 
acquainted with the situation of the world and of our coun- 
try as thoroughly as any of you? Have not I a capacity 
to discern the signs of the times? If this be the case you 
are under obligation, not so much to me as to God, and your 
own consciences, to take heed how you listen to those who 
would lessen that confidence which you have, greatly to 
your praise, honor and happiness, reposed in me for ten 
years past." 

November 29, 1804, in his Thanksgiving sermon, we 
note the great progress made. "God's mercies toward the 
church are in some respects manifestly on the increase. 
Our numbers have not been augmented, but our light is 
increasing, our graces are, it is hop-ed, improving, and the 
Shepherd of Israel is leading us out of the wilderness, 
and he will, we hope, lead out many others by our means. 
How great is God's mercy to open our eyes, that we should 
no longer practice upon the traditions of the ancients, to 
the rejection of one of the ordinances of Christ Jesus. How 
preciously is this light and liberty increasing among us. 
O may it increase everywhere!" 

In his sermon of January 4, 1805, he says; "I give you 
a little particular instruction, which may profit you in the 
varied occurrences of the year. We have passed through 
many solemn, interesting scenes, scenes which will have 
weighty consequences through, or all along in, eternity. 
But perhaps the most momentous which we have ever seen, 
or shall see in time, are to take place this year. This year 
many of us shall probably, either turn aside from the right 
way, and embrace an error, or be constituted, or gathered 
into a church according to the Apostolic order. The for- 
mer of these is to be greatly deprecated, the other is to be 
greatlv wished. Either will have lasting consequences. 
Our future, not to say our present happiness, is greatly 
concerned. Not onlv so, but those who shall be specta- 



46 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

tors will share in the greatness of the matter, for such as 
approve the wrong, or condemn the right, will find them- 
selves largely affected. Not one will be, on the whole, an 
unaffected spectator." 

In sermon Number 853 he says : "It is worthy of remark 
here that there was never one who suffered death as a wit- 
ness for sprinkling or partial washing for baptism; nor for 
the baptism of infants. It is also worthy to be mentioned 
that multitudes have suffered martyrdom for defending 
immersion as the only gospel baptism, and believers as be- 
ing the only gospel subjects of baptism." 

In sermon Number 822 he says : "If, according to Acts 
XIX, 7, disciples who have been baptized must be rebap- 
tized, because not baptized in the right name, or by the 
right baptism, surely we who have not been baptized in any 
name, nor by any baptism, must be. You may reply, we 
have been sprinkled in the name of Christ; yes, but who re- 
quired this at your hands? My brethren and people, I 
have opened my text before you at this time not because I 
should have chosen it before other texts, had it not been 
the devil appeared to throw it in the way of a number of 
God's children to worry them, and to keep them from the 
truth. I should be glad if he may not be suffered to bring 
up any more texts in a perverted light, but should he, I 
will try to help you out of his snare, the Lord helping me." 

I pass over here w^hat can be gathered from the Seven 
Sermons and the Autobiography, leaving that ground for 
others. The great day was coming. What brave and 
complete, and conscientious and enlightened steps had been 
taken. Most of the church were already satisfied, and were 
with their pastor. A few weeks more and nearly every 
one of them stood on the other side of the Jordan of bap- 
tism. Here is an extract from one of the letters he received 
from one of the Massachusetts Baptist ministers, Rev. Elisha 
Williams, of Beverly. It is dated December 4, 1804. "I 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 47 

am very happy to learn by your letter of the alteration of 
your mind respecting the Mode and Subjects of the Divine 
Ordinance of baptism. I believe that special grace from 
God is as necessary to bring off a real Christian from his 
false notions of Infant Baptism, as to convert a sinner from 
the error of his ways. I think I can form some faint idea 
of the struggle you and your brethren must have passed in 
their own bosoms, and rejoice that truth opens with a satis- 
faction to your mind." His determination was fully taken 
to make the change and the reasons for it, as widely known 
as possible. Accordingly we find him in corres|X)ndence as 
to the printing of his Seven Sermons on Baptism. The 
Rev. Elisha Williams writes, "I shall cheerfully render any 
assistance in inspecting the press should you procede to pub- 
lish at Salem, as proposed." 

Preparations were also in progress for the coming of the 
ministers who were to participate in the establishment of 
the new church. In this same letter Rev. Mr. Williams 
says, "I feel at present as if it would be very agreeable to me 
to make you a visit for the purpose you mention, and I be- 
lieve Dr. Baldwin would likewise." 

His Publications. 

As an apologist for Baptist Church Constitution and Or- 
dinances, I do not know of any one who at that period in 
America had been the author and publisher of so many. 
The first of these were The Se^•en Sermons. I have copies 
of these, published in Boston, Worcester and Newport. I 
presume they were published in still other places. Of the 
editions published in Boston 1 have a copy of one bearing the 
imprint of the lOth edition. 

They av/akened a general and far reaching interest, and 
one that was not ephemeral. They were spread over a space 
of fifteen years. They were sought by the demand of Min- 



48 Rci'. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

isters and Associations. They were distributed throughout 
New England and into the state of New York. 

Writing from Salem in 1819 the Rev. Thomas Baker 
says 'T wanted to learn what was the general wish of the 
people in this region, about your writings. I believe it is 
the universal wish of the people in this part of the country 
that you should proceed. I have circulated subscription 
papers, and am circulating them through all this region. In 
some towns they have obtained upwards of fifty subscribers. 
I think there is no danger of printing one thousand copies. 
There are many of his people that are dissatisfied with Mr. 
Prime's book, and are almost persuaded to forsake him." 

The Rev. Mr. Willey of Lansingburg, N. Y., writes May 
II, 1819, "I inform you that the Shaftsbury Association 
meets in Pittstown, eleven miles east of this, on the first 
Wednesday in June next. If it is possible for you to meet 
with us it will be highly gratifying to the feelings of the 
brethren in the mmistry. Also will greatly facilitate one 
object of your journey, the distribution of your intended 
publications." 

His publications followed one another quite rapidly. 
With his Seven Sermons were bound an account of the 
Constitution of the church and the exercises at that time. 
Also a Miniature History of The Baptists. Then followed 
"Twelve Letters to Rev. Samuel Austin," 84 pages. Along 
with this were "A few Words for Rev. Samuel Worcester"; 
"A sermon at the ordination of the Rev. John Billings," 
1826. 

Another sermon, "Balaam Disappointed," 30 pages. 

Letter to Benjamin Worcester, pastor Fairfield, Vt., 24 
pages. 

"Election Sermon before the Governor and Council and 
Legislature of New Hampshire, "The Kingdom Of God." 

"Thirteen Letters, The Gospel Church Vindicated," in 
reply to Nathaniel S. Prime, 208 pages, 18 19. 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 49 

Mr. Merrill's Answer to the Christian and Other Inhab- 
itants of Sedg^vick. Newburyport, 1801, 8 vo, pp. 20. 
Printed by Edward M. Blunt. 

Open Communion with all who keep the Ordinances as 
Christ delivered them to the Saints. Eight Letters on Open 
Communion addressed to Rufus Anderson. Boston, 1805, 
12 mo. pp. iv (5x83). Printed by Manning & Loring. 

The Gospel Rangers : a sermon at the ordination of Elder 
Henry Hale. Buckstown, 1807, 8 vo. pp. 20. Printed by 
William W. Clapp. The same; second edition; Spring- 
field 1807, 8 vo. pp. 20. Printed by Henry Brewer. 

Letters occasioned by Rev. Samuel Worcester's Two Dis- 
courses on the perpetuity and prevision of God's Gracious 
Covenant with Abraham and his Seed. Detecting by plain 
Scripture, stubborn facts and sober reason, some of his gross 
misrepresentations, unfounded assertions, and sophistical ar- 
guments. Boston, 1807, 12 mo. pp. 92. 

The Second Exposition of some of the false Arguments, 
Mistakes and errors of the Rev. Samuel Austin. Published 
for the benefit of the Public. Manning & Loring, Boston, 
12 mo. pp. 58. 

The Christian Banner, A Sermon preached before the Lin- 
coln Baptized Association, and at their request made public 
Manning & Loring, Boston, 12 mo. pp. 24. 

The Kingdom of Heaven Distinguished from Babylon, A 
Sermon delivered at the Introduction of the Lincoln Asso- 
ciation, Sept. 21, 22, 1808. William W. Clapp, printer. 
Buckstown, 18 10, 8 vo. 28 pp. 

How Christ's Ministers are made and for what they are 
made; pointed out in a sermon, preached at the ordination 
of Rev. Phineas Bond, pastor of the first Baptist Church in 
Steuben, May 25, 1825. Waterville, 1825, 12 mo. pp. 28, 
William Hastings, printer. 

Jesus Christ Magnified and Mahommedan Christians Ex- 
posed and Warned. A Discourse delivered at E^stport, 



50 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

September 14, 1825, before the Eastern Maine Baptist Asso- 
ciation. Shirley & Edwards, Portland, 1825. 12 mo. 
pp. 28. 

Christian Reflection, A Sermon preached before the Bow- 
doinham Association at Green, 1829. Printed in Zion's 
Advocate, Vol. II, No. 4. 1829. Reprinted at St. Paul, 
Minn., 1875, 8 vo. pp. 11. 

Balaam Disappointed; a Thanksgiving sermon at Not- 
tingham. West, N. H., April 2, 181 5. Concord, 18 16, 12 
mo. pamp. 

Letter to Benjamin Worcester, occasioned by his sermon 
at St. Albans, Aug. 8, 181 5, Concord, 1816, 12 mo. pamp. 

The Replies. 

This Baptist literature had its effect among the Congre- 
gationalists. Many of their members were deeply stirred 
and their ministers were sorely put to it to answer these 
brochures. I have in my possession a few of the prmted 
volumes and pamphlets put forth in reply, although I have 
never made any efifort to discover such wTitings, and I have 
no idea of how^ numerous they were. I have the following : 
"Apology For The Rite Of Infant Baptism, to refute the 
reasonings of the Rev. Daniel Merrill and Baptists in Gen- 
eral by John Reed, D. D." Congregational pastor, Bridge- 
water, Mass., March 26, 1806, forty-eight pages. In the 
preface he says, "I have addressed these letters to Mr. Mer- 
rill because that gentleman, having been a Congregational 
minister for several years, has of late altered his principles 
and practice, and has published a number of sermons, etc. 
Your case, as it appears from common report and from what 
you have published is, in some respects, somewhat singular; 
and the singularity has excited the curiosity of individuals, 
and has occasioned a considerable demand for your publica- 
tions." 

"Mr. Merrill's Defensive Armor Taken From Him." 
Twelve Letters to The Author. May, 1806,, 55 pages, by 
Rev. Samuel Austin. 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 51 

Rev. Samuel Worcester's Reply to Rev. Daniel Merrill. 
He was a Doctor of Divinity, and the reply was published in 
Salem. Five pages. 

An examination of the Representations and Reasonings 
contained in the Seven Sermons, by the Rev. Daniel Mer- 
rill. Ten Letters by Samuel Austin. Published, Wor- 
cester, Massachusetts, October, 1805. 108 pages. 

Clinton. On Infant Baptism, Springfield. Printed by 
Henry Brewer, by Isaac Clinton, pastor of church in South- 
wick, pp. 292, 1807. 

His Organizing Ability. 

While he was a Congregational pastor the church had 
been well organized for every kind of Christian work. 
When it went over to the Baptists it was not less so. It 
had been an evangelistic and a missionary body. The Mis- 
sionary Society was taken over, and was one of the best 
in its organization, achieving results that are today, in many 
respects, unsurjiassed. 

The Evangelical work that was done was of equal thor- 
oughness and persistence. The Education Society, to which 
he was a principal donor, and of which he was the President, 
was likewise taken over so far as the contributors went with 
the Baptists. This we ask you to notice was. so far as I 
know, the FIRST BAPTIST EDUCATION SOCIETY, 
the denomination had, and remained so for several years un- 
til others, still existing, were formed. The records of this 
society are in part yet existing. They are in the hand of 
Mr. Isaac ^^\. Allen of North SedgMack, Me. 

This Society helped students for the Baptist Ministry and 
I hold a note given by one such student, to the amount of 
one hundred dollars. Mr. Merrill also served as the theo- 
logical teacher and trainer of several students for the Bap- 
tist ministry. In his sermon, "The Gospel Rangers," 



52 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

printed at Buckstown, Me., 1807, he says, "My brethren, I 
have known more than five hundred dollars g'iven for a re- 
cruit to follow Washington's standard for three years only. 
Shall our penurious hearts grudge to supply half that sum 
to defray the highly necessary expenses of those who wish 
to range themselves under Immanuel's banner for life? 
When every cent of the bounty they wish is to be spent in 
gaining profitable information, and in rendering them more 
expert for the war." A note says, "Several promising 
brethren in Sedgwick and its vicinity had manifested a 
strong desire to preach the living Saviour to dying sinners, 
and wished to obtain those parts of Literary information, 
which are acknowledged by all, to be highly beneficial. To 
accomplish their wishes, assistance was needed. Some has 
been offered, but more is still wanted." 

The Missionary Society. 

I believe almost the same assertion could be made as to 
the formation of the first Baptist Missionary Society. This 
too was brought over from the former organization. His 
college education and evangelistic spirit fitted him to appre- 
ciate the needs of the country and his large outlook made 
him desire the welfare of his fellow men. His wondrous 
conversion to the principles and practice of the Baptists 
made him in demand among the brethren and the churches. 
Thus he became an evangelist and preacher in request in the 
Provinces, as also among the churches over quite a large 
part of New England, as an occasional preacher. He took 
some trips of this kind which lasted for weeks, and even ex- 
tended into months. All the time at home the Society was 
at work for Missions. And this Society was as well or- 
ganized and as efficient as are the more modern ones of to- 
day. As to his dissemination of Baptist principles, one has 
only to look over the records of his own and the neighboring 
Associations to see how widespread and earnest he was, and 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M, 53 

how thoroughly he was entrusted with this duty by his 
brethren in the ministry, and by the churches. 

Education. 

Perhaps in no one thing is his name so usefully associated 
as with the origin of wliat is now known as Colby College. 
At the time of the early agitation of the establishment of an 
institution of learning by Baptists, the predominating idea 
was that of a school for the education of the young men for 
the ministry. Mr. Merrill had, as we have seen, both an 
Education Society of which he was president, and a number 
of young ministerial students that he was teaching and help- 
ing. Brown University was then the only school con- 
trolled by the denomination. Mr. Merrill was from the first 
an advocate for the formation of a school in Maine. The 
idea gradually developed and took shape. The records of 
the Cumberland, Bowdoinham and Lincoln Associations 
show the several steps that were taken. Committees v^'^re 
appointed and repeated actions taken by these bodies are rec- 
orded. In Dr. Champlin's Semi-Centennial address at 
Waterville, he says at page 13, "At Livermore in 18 10 it be- 
ing in contemplation to establish an Institution in the Dis- 
trict of Maine for the purpose of promoting Literary and 
Theological knowledge, brethren Blood, Boardman, Merrill, 
Titcomb and Tripp were appointed a committee to take into 
consideration the propriety of petitioning the General Court 
for incorporation." He was also a member of a similar 
committee in his own association. That Mr. Merrill was the 
chief mover in the matter may be seen from a letter which I 
have had from the Rev. Caleb Blood, who was appointed to 
attend to the securing of the Legislative action. This let- 
ter is dated Portland, November 5, 181 1, in which he says 
to Mr. Merrill, "In order to succeed in the petition from the 
three Associations (Cumberland, Bowdoinham and Lincoln) 
to the Legislature, I shall need to be informed of the amount 



54 Rei^'- Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

of what is subscribed for the encouragement of our proposed 
Seminary. For this and what other information you think 
proper I shall wholly depend on you. No one else can in- 
form me. I wish return from you without delay. My 
present circumstances make it difficult for me to advance 
the money, notwithstanding your promise to refund it." In 
the Centennial History of Waterville, Chapter II, by Pro- 
fessor Edward W. Hall, Ph. D., are these sentences which 
we transcribe. *'This Petition prepared by the joint com- 
mittee, was presented to the Senate of Massachusetts by 
Rev. Caleb Blood in 1812. The first petition for incorpora- 
tion was not successful. The following year Rev. Daniel 
Merrill of Sedgwick was appointed to present a second peti- 
tion, and succeeded in obtaining a charter, approved, Feb. 
27, 1813, for establishing a Literary Institution for the pur- 
pose of educating youth, to be called and known by the name 
of The Maine Literary and Theological Institution." 

I have also a copy of the letter which he wrote home to 
Mrs. Merrill immediately after he had succeeded in obtain- 
ing the charter, in which he details the circumstances of the 
same and tells of some of those who aided and some who 
opposed him in securing the passage of the act. 

This letter was published in the Examiner, the New York 
Baptist paper. October 6, 1892. 

(Letter to Mrs. Merrill) 

Boston, February 21, 18 13. 

My dear partner. — Six long v^eeks are now just passed 
away since I bade farewell to my loving wife and beloved 
children. I am now rather wishing time to speed its course. 
Were I as sure that I long to be holy as I am that I long 
to see you and our little ones, I should have no doubt of 
my being in a good degree as I should be. ^ Before this 
letter shall be closed I expect to inform you whether God 
favors the great object of my wishes. If our 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 55 

divine Tmmaniiel have need of this Institution, which 
He hath caused me to endeavor, He will, I hope, succeed me 
this week. I have tried to pray the Lord to favor me in 
the sight of the rulers, and without the Lord I can do noth- 
ing, and unless His blessing may crown the Institution, I 
desire it may fail in the outset; but if His blessing may at- 
tend it, and His glory and Zion's prosperity be advanced by 
it, then I pray Him to bless it and bless all who favor it. 
Should He prosper my wishes, then my joys will be in- 
creased and perhaps my sorrows. A solemnity rather than 
animation dwells upon my mind. Could I enjoy an equal 
mind, and that mind be largely devoted to the Lord, I should 
be more comfortable than I sometimes am. When I roll 
all my burdens on the Lord, all is well ; but when I get them 
back again disquietude attends me. You pray for me, you 
pray for Zion. May the Lord comfort you and prosper me. 
Friday evening, 25th, 10 oclock, and I am quite comfort- 
able. My ways please my Lord for he causes mine enemies 
to be at peace with me. And, astonishing to say, in the 
very town where my brethren in the seventeenth centurv 
were whipped by order of the government for preaching the 
gospel, I have obtained by order and an Act of the Greneral 
Court a corporation for the Maine Literary and Theological 
Institute, together with the grant of one township of land. 
This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. 
May I have a suitable remembrance that the hand of the 
Lord Jesus was in all this. Truly though my afflictions are 
many, yet out of them all the Lord hath delivered me. 
Though I had the bear and the lion to meet, yet I prayed the 
Lord to deliver me from the paw of both, and He hath heard 
and delivered me. The glory is His due; may I ever give 
it to Him. He hath triumphed gloriously. The opposers 
of our king formed themselves in battle array. Their most 
eloquent orators came forward in their might. One Infidel 
Doctor, one Babylonish minister, three lawyers, and one 



56 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

judge, with I know not how many others, spoke in opposi- 
tion. One pious Doctor, two respectable lawyers, and 
many pious souls, by their prayers, helped. It is past 
twelve at night, my beloved wife and dear children are, as I 
hope, sweetly sleeping. May the Lord bless you tonight 
and ever. From your affectionate husband, 

Daniel Merrill. 

In the book of Records of the Trustees of Colby College 
the name of the Rev. Daniel Merrill is the first one recorded. 

It will be seen from the following extract from the ad- 
dress of Dr. Champlin, before referred to, given in 1870, 
that "In 1827 the Trustees started Mechanic's Shops, so 
that by their labor students could help themselves. The 
agent employed to collect funds was Rev. Daniel Merrill of 
Sedgwick, a prominent member of the Board of Trustees, 
who had already, on many occasions proved himself a faith- 
ful and efficient agent in such matters. Mr. Merrill contin- 
ued a Trustee until his death." 

His Political Public Life Legislator 

In the years 1809, 18 12 and 1813, Mr. Merrill was elected 
to represent the District of Maine in the Massachusetts Leg- 
islature. He states that he was there for three years. In 
a letter to Senator John Holmes, at Washington, in 1821, 
he says, "When I have been a Legislator, it was my fixed 
principle that fair claims upon common justice should be 
heard. I never, knowingly, suffered a petition, manifestly 
founded upon principles of equity, to fail, without interpos- 
ing my firm and best exertion for its support." 

Governor's Council. 

He served the state of Maine three years as Governor's 
Council. This term extended from 1823 to 1826. It was 
early in the history of the state under Governor Albion K. 
Parris. We can best see how he acquitted himself by a 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 57 

quotation from Hon. John Balkam, Governor's Council in 
the year 1826, where in a letter to Mr. Merrill dated March 
10, he says "Your respects were offered to our good Gover- 
nor, and to his Council, and were received by all with recip- 
rocity and kindness. It would have added much to my in- 
dividual happiness, if it had been so ordered in Providence 
that I could have met you. Sir, again at this Board, as I 
always think much of being associated with gentlemen of 
pure principles, integrity and intelligence. This I hope will 
not be considered flattery, but as honest convictions in 
truth." 

To a letter of inquiry sent to the Executive Department 
at Augusta, as to the ser\dce rendered by the Rev. Daniel 
Merrill, the following reply has been received. 

State of Maine, Executive Department, Augusta, June 8, 

1905. 

I have this day received a letter asking for certain 
records from the Secretary of State's office relating to the 
service of one Daniel Merrill upon the Governor's council. 
I find from the record that Mr. Merrill serv^ed upon the 
Council of Govenor Albion K. Parris. The first record as 
a councillor I find in the Council Register, Volume i, page 
141, Friday, January 17, 1823. I also find his name signed 
to Council committee reports through 1823, 1824, 1825, and 
the last entry on January 3, 1826. See volume i, page 383. 
I judge the last two years of his service that he was presi- 
dent of the Council as his name appears at the head of the 
list in signing the Council reports which were approved by 
the Governor. 

I believe this covers the information asked for, and trust 
it may be of service to you in giving a sketch of the honor- 
able service rendered by Mr. Daniel Merrill. 
Very Respectfully, 

N. S. PURINTON, 

Private Secretary. 
William T. Cobb, Governor. 



58 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

Personal 

He was thrifty. On the farm that he occupied, and in 
the great house which was his home, he had for his family 
all the comforts and conveniences of that time. On a sal- 
ary of $400.00, his family did not want. They were clad 
well, schooled well, and given every useful advantage which 
the times and their desires required. The house, which was 
his home for many years, is still standing. 

The old meeting house is yet with you, and is used for 
the Town Hall. It has, like the great house, been cut down 
in proportions, but evidences the largeness of the needs of 
the congregation for room in which to gather to hear the 
preached word. The inventory of his estate which is on 
file at Ellsworth, tells of a house comfortably furnished, and 
its items reveal the fatherly care and provision for his chil- 
dren in case of need. His correspondence shows that he 
was thoughtful of his children long after they had passed 
from the home-tree, and that he followed their career, aid- 
ing them as they had need. 

His wife was a woman of poise and good sense. She 
was loyal and affectionate, and devoted, a woman of excel- 
lent economy, rare industrv, and was a true helpmeet. She 
was a woman of considerable education for that time, and I 
give an extract from a letter that she wrote him while he 
was in the Legislature at Boston, dated October 12, 1812. 

"I esteem it a great privilege to have opportunity to con- 
verse with you, and you with me in this way. I hope our 
time will not be considered as lost, by each other, although 
we cannot spend our time together for the present. 

My Dear Partner, it will be eighteen years next Wednes- 
day since we were married, in which time we have seen many 
joys and many sorrows. How much more time we have to 
live together we know not, one thing is certain, we must 
die. Let us strive then to promote each other's happiness 
in reference to the next life. If we are called to self-denial, 
this will not grieve us by and by. Are we called to trials 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 59 

and difficulties, let us not be discouraged. Let us gird up 
the loins of our minds and hope to the end. 

Although I do not enjoy so much health as many, yet our 
circumstances are such that I am not obliged to expose my- 
self in order to make my family comfortable." 

The Children. 

There were thirteen children, six sons and seven daugh- 
ters. All of these lived to grow up. We are let into this 
family on a Sunday when in one of his volumes "The Gospel 
Church" page 200 he says : "Our children may not be so 
ready as Paedo-Baptist children with their answers to creeds 
and catechisms of clerical construction; but can they claim 
superiority when the Scriptures, either of the Old or the New 
Testament are the subjects of investigation ? Our brethren 
have perhaps somewhat generally pursued the practice, 
which I have long since adopted in my own family. Whilst 
catechising the children is not wholly omitted, the usual 
course, after the public exercises is to let the children and 
household read from ten to twenty chapters or more, of the 
precious book of God, accompanied with questions and ob- 
servations, which may inform the opening minds, assist the 
memory and impress the heart. With this method our op- 
ponents may not be pleased, but to me it is pleasant. For 
thus have my children opportunity to drink at the fountain's 
head to receive the pure word of God, which is able to make 
them wise unto salvation. They may not be so prompt in 
rehearsing what men have written, but more ready to relate 
what God hath spoken." 

All of these children but one, early became members of the 
Baptist church. 

I. The eldest, Joanna, married Moses Greely. They 
lived in Nottingham West, N. H. Mr. Greely was a dea- 
con in that church, and perhaps the most prominent member 
in it. The family were made up of twelve children, togeth- 
er with the father and mother. 



6o "Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

11. John was a graduate of Colby Colleg-e, and a grad- 
uate in medicine. He died in early manhood, shortly after 
his marriage. He was a promising and highly respected 
citizen among this people. 

HI. Susan married Col. Rowland Carlton, and this 
church knows the worth of her life and example. Her chil- 
dren, some of them, yet linger to do good as God has pros- 
pered them. 

IV. Daniel, after a residence of some years in Sedgwick, 
became a resident in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was a 
deacon of the church there. He lived a useful and highly 
respected citizen. The Rev. Thomas W. Merrill was a 
graduate from Colby College at Waterville, and was one of 
the earliest to go forth from the Newton Theological Semi- 
nary. He was the founder of the Kalamazoo College, and 
left to it a ten thousand dollar endowment. He was the 
first missionary commissioned by the American Baptist 
Home Mission Society. His son, Deacon D. D. Merrill of 
Minnesota, was one of the leading Baptists of the Northwest. 
He was treasurer of the Minnesota Baptist State Convention 
for many years. He was associated with the educational 
interests of the State, and was the publisher of all the adopt- 
ed school books of the State by contract which lasted for ten 
years. His son it is who has taken in hand the securing of 
the Merrill Memorial window now placed in the Sedgwick 
meeting house. And. it is encomium enough to say that 
Mr. George Ernest Merrill is a worthy descendant of his 
great-grandfather. He is an active, enterprising and de- 
voted deacon in the Baptist church, of which he may truth- 
fully be said to be the founder, in the city of Annapolis, 
Maryland. 

VT. The Rev. Moses Merrill was a teacher for some 
years in Maine, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and after his 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Wilcox of New York, they 
both taught in Lake Superior region, and then went as mis- 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 6i 

sionaries of the American Baptist Missionary Union to Bel- 
levue, Nebraska. There, after seven years of work he died 
and was buried, leaving a widow with two children, Moses, 
Daniel Merrill and Samuel Pearce Merrill. The former 
has been a choir leader in the church, a Sunday-school Su- 
perintendent, and a teacher in the Sunday-school. He, with 
his two children and wife, are living in St. Paul, Minnesota. 
Rev. Samuel Pearce Merrill has a wife and two children. 
He was a graduate of the Rochester University and the 
Rochester Theological Seminary. Was settled in three 
places in New York, and two in Maine, Waterville and Bid- 
deford. Was Secretary of the Rochester Theological Sem- 
inary for over fourteen years. 

Vn. Deacon Joseph Merrill was a faithful servant of 
the churches wherever he was located, whether in Sedgwick, 
Nottingham West, N. H., or in Michigan, where he resided 
for some years. His wife was one of the most useful and 
faithful of women. 

VIII. Sarah married the Rev. Charles Bradbury, a 
teacher and a Baptist minister. His work was done mostly 
in the state of Maine. His last settlement was at Mt. Ver- 
non. His wife survived him many years, and was quite a 
generous donor toward the education of the colored people 
by the Home Mission Society. Her daughter, Hannah, 
married a grandson of the Rev. Daniel Merrill, and a son 
of this union, the Rev. Frederick W. Allen of Carthage, N. 
Y., is the efficient pastor of one of the best village churches 
in that state. Another son in this family has just grad- 
uated as a physician in the west. 

IX. Samuel was a resident for all his life in Sedgwick 
and Surrey. Maine. He was a prosperous ship-owner. He 
was the father of a family of fourteen children. 

Among the surviving children is Mr. J. Lincoln Merrill 
of Los Angeles, California. tie is a large dealer in mining 



62 Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 

property, and he with his two children, make up a prosper- 
ous family. 

Several of Samuel's children are living, and a goodly 
nunmer of descendants. A great-grand-daughter sang at 
the Centennial exercises, Miss Louise Boyden, daughter of 
Mrs. Annie Howe of Blue Hill, Maine. 

X. Hannah married a Baptist minister, the Rev. Dura 
D. Pratt, who for a number of years was the pastor of the 
Baptist church in Nashua, N. H. He was a Doctor of Di- 
vinity, and there are records of the honor in which they lx)th 
were held by their people. A portrait of Dr. Pratt is ex- 
tant. 

XL Mary married Deacon Isaac Allen of North Sedg- 
wick, Maine. There they lived and died, and held the es- 
teem of their neighbors and friends. 

Their son, Isaac and his wife, Ada Closson, occupy the 
old homestead, and are leading members of the same church 
their father served so faithfully. They are citizens held in 
the highest esteem. 

One of their sons, Deacon Eugene Allen, is a leader 
among the young men of the town, and is at once a teacher 
in the school, and superintendent of education in his district. 

XII. Harriet grew to lovely womanhood and died early, 
a prey to consumption, by which disease several of the fam- 
ily died. 

XIII. Eliza was the youngest. She married Mr. Chas. 
H. Nichols, a prosperous merchant of Boston. Of this 
union there were no children. She was a woman of fine 
culture, and a most amiable spirit. Her life was as beauti- 
ful as one could well be. Her friends were every one who 
knew her. Some of my earliest and most cherished recol- 
lections are associated with this most excellent and cultured 
Christian woman. 



Rev. Daniel Merrill, A. M. 63 

Summary. 

This can here be given only in part, as to the consorts of 
the children and the descendants. 

Rev. Daniel Merrill was chiefly the founder of what is 
now Colby College. He was the chairman of the commit- 
tee which resulted by its action in the organization of The 
Northern Baptist Education Society, and the Newton Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

The Rev. Thomas Ward Merrill was the founder of Kal- 
amazoo College. 

Five members of the family have been ministers of the 
Gospel. One a judge. Six deacons of Baptist churches. 
Six have been practising physicians. 

All about us are the results of this life of the Rev. Daniel 
Merrill. As long as Colby College lives, and Newton 
Theological Seminary survives, and Kalamazoo College 
continues to educate and bless mankind, and as long as 
these Baptist churches, the mother church and her daugh- 
ters, abide faithful to God and His word, so long shall the 
memory of Daniel Merrill remain. 

We close this Appreciation with an extract from his ser- 
mon, which epitomizes his life, through the whole of which 
the forces of truth triumphed and those of error were put to 
shame. 

"Balaam Disappointed" 

This gives us a glimpse of his mental and moral state 
which speak well for the man, the minister and the Chris- 
tian. 

"For God hath triumphed. Truth hath triumphed, and 
will soon triumph more abundantly. Our Government hath 
triumphed (over Great Britain). Our armies and navies 
have triumphed; our ministers at Ghent (in the Treaty) 
have triumphed; and praised be the God of Hosts, we are 
free. Free to think, free to speak, free to act. Free from 



64 R^v- Daniel Merrill, A. M. 



a^r-Ly. 



Britain, and many of us free from the shackles and supersti- 
tions of that reUgion of which she is the bulwark. Free to 
investigate truth, whether civil, political or religious. Free 
to inquire what religion is from heaven, and what from men. 
Free to search for the doctrines, the ordinances, and prac- 
tices of the church of Christ, the kingdom set up by the 
Lord of heaven; and full liberty to enter it, if our heart be in 
love with it. Free to pursue the glory of God, and man's 
best good, in heaven's prescribed way. Free to seek our 
own present and future felicity, according as reason and 
revelation dictate. Having none to make us afraid." 



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